Duration of Protection against Malaria and Anaemia from Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Infants
Author Information
Author(s): Cairns Matthew, Carneiro Ilona, Milligan Paul, Owusu-Agyei Seth, Awine Timothy, Gosling Roly, Greenwood Brian, Chandramohan Daniel
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
Hypothesis
How does the protective efficacy of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTi) against malaria and anaemia change over time?
Conclusion
Intermittent preventive treatment provides considerable protection against malaria and anaemia for short periods, especially during peak malaria incidence.
Supporting Evidence
- Protective efficacy against malaria was 75.2% within four weeks of IPTi.
- Protection against anaemia was 93.8% within four weeks of IPTi.
- No evidence of protective effect was observed after six weeks post IPTi.
Takeaway
Giving medicine to babies can help protect them from getting sick from malaria, but it only works for a little while.
Methodology
A secondary analysis of data from a cluster-randomised, placebo-controlled trial of IPTi using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in Ghana.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to low bednet usage among participants.
Limitations
The study may underestimate the duration of protection due to the inclusion of children treated for malaria during the follow-up period.
Participant Demographics
Infants aged 3 to 12 months in Navrongo, Ghana.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 66–82
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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